Pole Cover

ABSTRACT

A pole cover assembly and a method for mounting the assembly onto a pole. The assembly includes a pole cover that has a first portion with a first longitudinal end. A base portion extends from the first portion and the base portion has a base portion depth and an inside diameter that is greater than an outside diameter of the first portion to accommodate a first longitudinal end of an adjacent pole cover therein and define a circumferential clearance gap around the adjacent pole cover. A longitudinal slit runs a length of the pole cover and separates axially extending arc segments of the pole cover. The arc segments overlap one another when disposed on the pole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), ofprovisional application No. 63/124,243 filed Dec. 11, 2020; the priorapplication is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Covers for poles and utility poles,

a) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the utility poles or fixture poles thatrequire coverings. In particular, poles for supporting communicationhardware. The utility poles are constructed of materials such asaluminum, wood, concrete etc. Such poles may not be aestheticallypleasing and might not meet standards for the community requirements forthe appearance of such. poles. The present invention pertains to a coverto cover such poles.

b) Description of the Related Art

It is well known to provide covers for poles. Gordin et al. (U.S. Pat.No. 7,607,276) discloses a pole cover or sleeve that is constructed forcovering substantially tall poles. U.S. Patent Application Publicationno.: 2009/0188207 to Gordin et al. discloses a set of covers or sleevesthat are disposed to cover a 45 ft pole, where each sleeve is the sameheight. The sleeves are produced. from a flat sheet that has atrapezoidal shape, as is shown in FIG. 3 (of the Gordin references), inorder to have a tapered. shape to conform to the tapered pole. The endsof the vinyl sheets are bent and held together by extrusions once thecovers are wrapped onto the pole and the extrusions are placed on theends of the sheets and are rolled down to form a seam and close thecovers onto the pole. The covers overlap one another in a longitudinaldirection of the pole to cover the length of the pole. The covers areaffixed at the top ends thereof, which is the underneath cover to allowthe bottoms of the covers to expand and contract and accommodate thermalexpansion due to temperature changes. This construction results invarying circumferential gaps where the seams overlap one another, as thecovers move relative to one another due to thermal effects, as a resultof the conical geometry. Furthermore, this construction results in twodifferent materials extending the length of the covers, which can resultin problems over time due to the thermal cycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pole cover assembly that provides for a polecover that is easy to install and modify to cover poles of differentlengths and that will accommodate structural elements such as mountingbrackets that are mounted to the pole, where the structural elementsmust pass through the cover so that corresponding hardware can bemounted to the pole. The construction accommodates thermal expansion andcontractions in a uniform way that provides for a constantcircumferential relationship between the overlapping covers.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a pole coversystem that can conform to poles of various lengths, that is easy toinstall, replace and modify to length.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a pole cover assembly for mounting onto apole. The assembly includes a pole cover that has a first portion with afirst longitudinal end. A base portion extends from the first portionand the base portion has a base portion depth and an inside diameterthat is greater than the outside diameter of the first portion toaccommodate a first longitudinal end of an adjacent pole cover thereinand define a circumferential clearance gap around the adjacent polecover. A longitudinal slit runs a length of the pole cover and separatesaxially extending arc segments of the pole cover. The arc segmentsoverlap one another when disposed on the pole.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the base portionhas a free end with a circumferential lip that is directed radiallyinwards for closing the clearance gap.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, in one embodiment,a mounting fastener is disposed centrally with respect to a length ofthe pole cover. The mounting fastener passes through the pole cover intothe pole for setting a height position of the pole cover on the pole.Alternately, in another embodiment, the inner diameter of the pole coveris substantially similar to the outer diameter of the pole, and theheight position of the pole cover on the pole can be set and maintainedby a frictional engagement between the pole cover and the pole.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, closing fastenersare provided along the length of the pole cover affixing the arcsegments to one another.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the assemblyincludes the adjacent pole cover. In one embodiment, the mountingfastener is positioned in the pole to set a position of the pole coverso that the first longitudinal end of the adjacent pole cover isdisposed at a middle of the depth of the bass portion. Alternatively,this is achieved through a frictional engagement between a pole coverand/or the adjacent pole cover and the pole.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, a cap portion isdisposed at the first end of the pole cover and overlaps the pole cover.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the base portiondepth is at least as great as a sum of the amount of thermal expansionat a desired high temperature limit above 70° F. for a length of thepole cover in a desired service temperature range of the pole cover plusthe amount of thermal contraction at a desired low temperature limitbelow 70° F. for the length of the pole cover in the desired servicetemperature range of the pole cover.

In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the polecover has longitudinally extending corrugations that have a height atleast as great as a wall thickness of the pole cover to define a spacenext to the pole to accommodate an underlying arc segment of the arcsegments.

In accordance with still yet another feature of the invention, acorrugation peak defines an overlying arc segment of the arc segments.

Additionally, there is provided, in accordance with. the invention amethod for covering a pole with a pole cover. The method includes toprovide a plurality of pole covers. Each of the pole covers have: afirst portion with a first longitudinal end, a base portion that extendsfrom the first portion and the base portion has a base portion depth andan inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the firstportion, a longitudinal slit runs a length of the pole cover andseparates axially extending arc segments of the pole cover. Opening afirst pole cover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over adiameter of the pole. Placing the first pole cover into a position wherethe arc segments overlap and inserting closing fasteners into the arcsegments. Axially positioning the first pole cover on the pole andsecuring the first pole cover on the pole, for example, by inserting amounting fastener through. the pole cover into the pole for mounting thefirst pole cover onto the pole or by taking advantage of a frictionalengagement between the pole cover and the pole. Opening a second polecover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over a diameter of thepole into a position above the first pole cover where the arc segmentsof the second pole cover overlap and inserting closing fasteners intothe arc segments of the second pole cover. Axially positioning andsecuring the second pole cover on the pole with the base portion.overlapping the first pole cover with the first longitudinal end of thefirst pole cover disposed at a middle of the depth of the base portionof the second pole cover. The second pole cover being secured on thepole, for example, by frictional engagement with the pole, or byinserting a second mounting fastener through the pole cover into thepole for mounting the second pole cover onto the pole.

Other characteristic features of the invention are set forth in theappended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein. as embodiedin a pole cover assembly, it is nevertheless not intended to be limitedto the details shown, since various modifications and structural changesmay be made therein without departing from the spirit of the inventionand within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction of the invention, however, together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof will he best understood from. thefollowing description of specific embodiments when read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a pole cover in a connected state;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pole cover;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the pole cover;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the pole cover;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pole cover;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the pole cover;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pole cover;

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line A-A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line B-B of FIG. 5 and a portion ofthe pole 100 is illustrated in dashed lines;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view “A” of a portion of FIG. 9 showing a joiningregion of the cover;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged section view of a portion of the base taken fromFIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view taken from FIG. 2, where the middleportion has been removed in order to show the end portions in anenlarged view;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged right side view taken from FIG. 4, where themiddle portion has been removed in order to show the end portions in anenlarged view;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged left side view taken from FIG. 3, where themiddle portion has been removed in order to show the end portions in anenlarged view;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged rear view taken from FIG. 5, where the middleportion has been removed in order to show the end portions in anenlarged view;

FIG. 16 is a top front perspective view of the cap;

FIG. 17 is a right side view of the cap;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the cap;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the cap;

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the cap;

FIG. 21 is a section view of the cap taken along line G-G of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a section view of the cap taken along line F-F of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 is a partial section view of the top end of the pole coverhaving a cap thereon and showing the pole with the pole cover around thepole and the cap thereon;

FIG. 24 is a partial section view of the top portion of a first polecover and the bottom of a second pole cover around the pole with thebase of the second pole cover covering the top of the first pole cover;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the pole cover having the cap thereonafter it is removed from the mold where it is shown in one piece andfurther shown prior to a cut along the longitudinal axis to open thepole cover; and

FIG. 26 is a section view taken from FIG. 25 along line G-G.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the pole cover of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The figures show a pole cover 1, which alone or in multiples defines apole covering system 200. As can be seen, the circumferential profile ofthe cover is fluted and produced by molding of plastic, preferablyrotary molding and has the characteristics of being rotary molded. Thepreferred material for the pole cover 1 is polyethylene and the lengthof the covers is approximately eight (8) feet in length, but is in noway limited to such dimension as the cover can be longer or shorter. Asseen in FIG. 26, when the pole cover is removed from the tool uponcompletion of the molding cycle, there are three different longitudinalportions of the pole cover 1. There is a cap portion 30 at onelongitudinal end and a base portion 50 at the opposite longitudinal end,and a middle portion 10 between the base portion 50 and the cap portion30. The cap portion 30 and the base portion 50 have an expanded diameterrelative to the middle portion 10.

During post mold processing the cap portion 30 is removed from themiddle portion 10 by being cut from the middle portion 10 so thatmultiple pole covers 1 can be mounted along a length of a pole 100without the cap portion 30 interfering with the base portion 50 of anoverlapping cover 1. The pole cover 1 can include guides in the form ofcircumferential grooves, steps, and/or shoulders for providing a cuttingguide between the cap portion 30 and the middle portion 10. Once the cap30 is cut from the middle portion 10, a cut end 10A of the middleportion 10 exists and can ha fit into the open end of the base portion50 as shown in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 11 the OD of the middle portion10 and the ID of the base portion 50 are designated. This results in thecircumferential clearance gap CC between the OD of the middle portionand the ID of the base portion shown in FIG. 24.

The pole cover 1 is provided with a longitudinal cutting guide in theform of a groove, step, and/or shoulder that provides a linear guide forcutting the length of the pole cover 1. As can be seen in FIG. 26, thereis a connection at the cutting seam CS that extends radially, which onceremoved by cutting, allows two arc segments 11 to overlap and befastened to one another by the insertion of fasteners 12 along thelength of the middle portion 10 as is shown in FIG. 10. To this end, thepole cover 1 can be formed with pilot holes 15 on the underneath arcsegment 11 and with counterbores 16 on the outer arc segment 11, wherethe counterbores 16 corresponds to the head of the selected fastener 12,so that the head of the fastener 12 is flush as shown in FIG. 11 at thebase portion 50, where the overlap of the arc segments 11 also applies.Upon installation upon the pole 100, the arc segments 11 are aligned inthe overlapped position so that the pilot holes 15 and the counterbores16 are aligned and the fasteners 12 are inserted and secured.

FIG. 24 shows the fasteners 14 are provided to attach respective polecovers 10 to the outer surface of the pole 100 when the fasteners 14 arefastened to the pole. The fasteners 14 are selected for thecorresponding pole material and construction (hollow or solid).

The base portion 50 is defined by an expanded collar 52, the collar 52has an increased diameter relative to the middle portion 10 that allowsthe base portion 50 to fit over a cut end 10A of the middle portion 10,once the pole cover 1 is cut to the appropriate height. As shown in FIG.24, the base portion 50 has a minimum depth d in the longitudinaldirection to a shoulder 53 between the middle portion 10 and the baseportion 50. The collar 52 accommodates the thermal expansion in thelongitudinal direction of the adjoining pole covers 1 over an expectedtemperature range for the environment in which the pole covers 1 areemployed.

FIG. 3 shows the pole cover 1 has a corrugated profile withlongitudinally extending corrugations and the fasteners 14 are providedat respective bases B of the corrugation where opposite corrugationbases correspond to the diameter of the pole 100 so the bases cancontact the outer surface of the pole 100 when the fasteners 14 arefastened to the pole 100. The corrugations have a height h. The height hprovides clearance from the outer surface of the pole 100 for theoverlapping arc segments 11 to overlap and be fastened to one anotherwithout interference with the outer surface of the pole 100.Particularly, a gap or space is defined to the outer surface of the pole100 for the inner or underlying arc segment 11 to be beneath the outerarc segment 11. As such, the corrugation height h is at least as greatas a wall thickness of the pole cover 1 to allow space for the inner arcsegment 11 of the overlapping arc segments 11 under the outer arcsegment 11. The outer arc segment 11 may be defined by a corrugationpeak P with respect to the pole surface.

This means that the shoulder 53 is of a depth d required per unit lengthof the pole cover that will allow expansion of the pole covers relativeto one another, with consideration of the expansion of the pole 100, sothat the cut end 10A of the middle portion 10 does not abut against theshoulder 53 of the base portion 50 to result in a buckling. Likewise,the depth d is also sufficient so that over the temperature range alinear contraction of the pole covers does not result in circumferentialgaps between pole covers, which could cause buckling upon expansion ifthere is circumferential misalignment and the cut end abuts against theend of the base portion 50 upon increasing temperature and expansion. Inlight of these factors, the base portion, depth d is at least as greatas a sum of the amount of thermal expansion at a desired hightemperature limit above 70° F. for a length of the pole cover in adesired service temperature range of the pole cover plus the amount ofthermal contraction at a desired low temperature limit below 70° F. forthe length of the pole cover in the desired service temperature range ofthe pole cover. The baseline of 70° F. is used as this is thetemperature at which the length of pole cover is at a steady statelength. The relationship of the overlapping part of the covers 1 ofsystem is shown enlarged in FIG. 24.

Example calculation for the minimum depth d for a service temperaturerange between 10° F. and 140° F. for a polyethylene 96 inch cover:

Min. depth=(Initial length. @70° F.*temp difference to highlimit*coefficient of linear thermal expansion)+length @70° F.*tempdifferent to low limit*coefficient of linear thermal expansion)(96*70*10.6*10⁻⁵)+(96*60*10.6*10⁻⁵)=0.7123″+0.6106″=1.3238″=Min. depth

The middle portion 10 is provided with fastener pilot holes 13, as shownin FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 24, in one embodiment of the invention, themiddle of the pole cover 1 has fasteners 14 that are inserted throughthe holes 13 to fasten the pole cover 1 to the pole 100. The middlelocation is the only location for fasteners 14 between the pole 100 andthe pole cover 1, as the fastened location is the origin (datum) ofgrowth/contraction, as this position is fixed. The placement of theholes 13 are provided so that the expansion and contraction of polecover 1 is substantially equal from the fasteners to the opposite endsof the cover 1 in the longitudinal direction of the cover 1. Here,substantially means so that the tolerance is such that there is only anominal difference in thermal expansion/contraction as measured from thefastening position of cover 1 at hole 13, which the datum for theexpansion/contraction, as this is where the pole cover 1 is fixed to thepole 100. Alternatively, if desired, the fasteners 14 and holes 13 naybe omitted, and the pole cover 1 can be secured to the pole 100 byanother securing mechanism, such as, via a frictional engagement betweenthe pole cover 1 and pole 100. For example, if the inner diameter of thepole cover 1 is made to be substantially equal to the outer diameter ofthe pole 100, the pole cover 1 will be securely held in place on thepole 100 by friction, without sliding up or down the pole 100, once itis wrapped around the pole 100. Thus, the pole cover 1 can be secured atthe desired position on the pole 100 through a frictional fit orfrictional engagement between the pole cover 1 and the pole 100, and/orthe frictional fit between the pole cover 1 and an adjacent pole cover1, without the need for the fasteners 14.

The cut cap portions 30 (shown in FIGS. 16-22) are removed and retainedso that they can be assembled to a topmost pole cover 1 of the system.The cap portions 30 have the same construction with respect to requiringa longitudinal cut and fastener 32 once the corresponding arc segments31 for the cover 30 are overlapped as seen in FIG. 22. Furthermore, thecap portions 30 can be provided with a pilot hole 33 for a furtherfastener that secures the cap portion 30 to the pole 100. The capportion 30 is removed from the middle portion 10 at a shoulder 30A thatdefines an increase of the diameter of the cap portion 30 relative tothe middle portion 10. This construction allows the cap portion 30 tofit over the OD of the middle portion 10 as seen in FIG. 23.

When considering the end views or the cross-sectional profiles of thecover 1, it is pointed out that as formed. In the tool the cover 30 willhave an out or round profile defined by at least two different radii,this allows the pole cover to be substantially round upon beingassembled with the respective overlapped arc segments 11 or 31 connectedto one another by the fasteners 12 or 32,

The base portion 50 has a turned in lip 51 at a free end thereof. Thelip 51 is a reduction of the diameter of the base portion 50 and helpsserve to limit dirt, water, and particles from penetrating the assemblyof pole covers 1. This helps to protect the pole 100 from elements thatcan have a negative effect on the pole 100 and a service life thereof.Also, the lip 51 provides structural strength and helps maintain thedimensional stability of the end of the base portion 50.

The method of installation of the pole covers 1 onto a pole 100 is suchthat after molding of the covers 1, the cap portion 30 is cut from themiddle portion 10. The cap portion 30 has a longitudinal end. face 35and, similarly base portion 50 has a longitudinal end face, not shown.These end faces are removed to accommodate pole 100. This allows thepole 100 to be accommodated within the portions 10, 50 of the pole cover1. The portions 10, 50 are longitudinally cut and. any projections areremoved to allow the flush seating of the surfaces of the arc segments11 against one another. This also apples to the arc segments 31 of cover30. The base portion 50 and the middle portion 10, which are stillconnected are further processed to cut any openings for brackets orother hardware mounted. on the pole 100 to project through the polecover 1. The base portion 50 and the middle portion 10 are spread openlongitudinally to an extent at which the pole cover 1 is spannedsufficiently to pass over the diameter of the pole 100. The covers areeach passed over the diameter of the pole 100 at which point the springforce of the pole cover and the memory of the pole cover 1 result in thearc segments coming back together with the pole 100 inside the polecover 1 Once the arc segments 11 are aligned, the fasteners 12 can beinstalled and the pole cover 1 is a continuous cylinder surrounding thepole. If desired, the pole cover 1 is centrally fastened at openings 13with the fasteners 14 to the pole 100 to allow for equal linearexpansion from the mounting points. The correct number of pole covers 1are added to the pole 100 to cover the length and the covers 1 arepositioned with the cut end 10A of the middle portions 10 disposed atthe center of the overlapping base portion 50 (at a midpoint of thedepth d of base portion 50) and are fastened onto the pole 100. Thisallows for the expansion, and contraction of the respective covers 1within the depth d of the base portions 50. Alternately, the pole cover1 is secured to the pole 100 only by a frictional fit between the polecover 1, and the pole 100 and/or the pole cover 1 and adjacent polecovers 1.

Upon the correct number of pole covers 1 being attached. to the pole100, the cap portion 30 is placed on the remaining cut end of the middleportion, also centrally aligned in the middle of the axial extent of thecap portion 30. The fasteners 32 are fastened to the respective arcsegments 31 of the cap portion 30. The cap portion 30 is fastened to thepole 100 by a fastener (not shown) that passes through pilot hole 33 ofthe cap portion 30 and into the pole 100.

We claim:
 1. A pole cover assembly for mounting onto a pole comprising:a pole cover having: a first portion having a first longitudinal end; abase portion extending from said first portion and said base portionhaving a base portion depth and an inside diameter being greater than anoutside diameter of said first portion for accommodating a firstlongitudinal end of an adjacent pole cover therein and defining acircumferential clearance gap around the adjacent pole cover; alongitudinal slit running a length of said pole cover and separatingaxially extending arc segments of said pole cover, said arc segmentsoverlapping one another when disposed on the pole.
 2. The pole coverassembly according to claim 1, wherein said base portion has a free endwith a circumferential lip that is directed radially inwards for closingsaid clearance gap.
 3. The cover assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising a mounting fastener disposed centrally with respect to alength of said pole cover, said mounting fastener passing through saidpole cover into the pole for setting a height position of said polecover on the pole.
 4. The pole cover assembly according to claim 2,further comprising closing fasteners provided along the length of saidpole cover affixing said arc segments to one another.
 5. The pole coverassembly according to claim 3, wherein the assembly includes saidadjacent cover, said mounting fastener positioned in the pole to set aposition of said pole cover so that said first longitudinal end of saidadjacent pole cover is disposed at a middle of said base portion depth.6. The pole cover assembly according to claim 5, further comprising acap portion disposed at said first end of pole cover and overlappingsaid pole cover.
 7. The pole cover assembly according to claim 1,wherein the base portion depth is at least as great as a sum of theamount or thermal expansion at a desired nigh temperature limit above70° F. for a length the pole cover in a desired service temperaturerange of the pole cover plus the amount of thermal contraction at adesired low temperature limit below 70° F. for the length of the polecover in the desired service temperature range of the pole cover.
 8. Thepole cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein said pole cover haslongitudinally extending corrugations that have a height at least asgreat as a wall thickness of said pole cover to define a space next tothe pole that accommodates an underlying arc segment of said arcsegments.
 9. The pole cover assembly according to claim 8, wherein acorrugation peak defines an overlying arc segment of said arc segments.10. A method for covering a pole with a pole cover comprising: providinga plurality of pole covers each having: a first portion having a firstlongitudinal end, a base portion extending from the first portion andthe base portion having a base portion depth and an inside diametergreater than an outside diameter of the first portion, a longitudinalslit running a length of the pole cover and separating axially extendingarc segments of the pole cover; opening a first pole cover at the slitand spanning the slit to fit over a diameter of the pole and placing thefirst pole cover into a position where the arc segments overlap andinserting closing fasteners into the arc segments for fastening the arcsegments to one another; positioning the first pole cover on the poleand inserting a mounting fastener through the pole cover into the polefor mounting the first pole cover onto the pole; opening a second polecover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over a diameter of thepole into a position above the first pole cover where the arc segmentsof the second pole cover overlap and inserting closing fasteners intothe arc segments of the second pole cover for fastening the arc segmentsof the second pole cover to one another; and axially positioning thesecond pole cover on the pole with the base portion overlapping thefirst pole cover with the first longitudinal end of the first pole coverdisposed at a middle the base portion depth of the second pole cover andinserting a second mounting fastener through the pole cover into thepole for mounting the second pole cover onto the pole.
 11. A method forcovering a pole with a pole cover comprising providing a plurality ofpole covers each having: a first portion having a first longitudinalend, a base portion extending from the first portion and the baseportion having a base portion depth and an inside diameter greater thanan outside diameter of the first portion, a longitudinal slit running alength of the pole cover and separating axially extending arc segmentsof the pole cover; opening a first pole cover at the slit and spanningthe slit to fit over a diameter of the pole and placing the first polecover into a position where the arc segments overlap and insertingclosing fasteners into the arc segments fastening the arc segments toone another; axially positioning and securing the first pole cover onthe pole to mount the first pole cover onto the pole; opening a secondpole cover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over a diameter ofthe pole into a position above the first cover where the arc segments ofthe second pole cover overlap and inserting closing fasteners into thearc segments of the second pole cover for fastening the arc segments ofthe second pole cover to one another; and axially positioning andsecuring the second cover on the pole with the base portion overlappingthe first pole cover with the first longitudinal end of the first polecover disposed at a middle of the base portion depth of the second polecover to mount the second pole cover onto the pole.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first pole cover orthe second pole cover are secured on the pole by a mounting fastenerdisposed centrally with respect to a length of said pole cover, thesecuring step including passing the mounting fastener through said atleast one of the first pole cover or the second pole cover into the polefor setting a height position of said pole cover on the pole.
 13. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first polecover or the second pole cover is secured to the pole by a frictionalengagement with the pole.